Joshua Tree – Syndication Server

What you should know about Joshua Tree’s most haunting landmark

Say hello to Skull Rock.

Are you looking for a mysterious and spooky place to visit this Halloween? If so, Joshua Tree National Park is the place to be. While many curiosities decorate this famous destination, only one landmark has the honor of being the desert’s spookiest attraction. Here’s what you should know about Skull Rock and why it’s the perfect Halloween sightseeing opportunity.

Joshua Tree visitors will find Skull Rock along the park’s main east-west road. This massive chunk of granite gets its name from the skull-like indentations on the front of the rock. While this spot is no hidden gem, it is popular for a reason. This round-up of Skull Rock info and travel tips will show you why this sight is so beloved.

A skull shaped rock formation against blue sky. — *Photo by Grae Gleason / Outdoors Wire*

What is Skull Rock?

Ages ago, raindrops began the slow process of wearing away at a massive slab of granite within Joshua Tree. Over time, the water shaped the rock and created the indentations that give Skull Rock its unique look. Today, the landmark is characterized by two hollow sections that form the skull’s eyes and a third hole creating the illusion of a nasal cavity.

Where can you find it?

As previously mentioned, Skull Rock rests along Joshua Tree National Park’s main east-west road. For the fastest trip possible, enter the park through the North Entrance Station and follow the main road’s signs past Split Rock to reach Skull Rock. If you want to stay the night, you can set up your tent nearby at Jumbo Rocks Campground.

A skull-shaped rock hiding behind brush in a desert. — *Photo by NPS / Robb Hannawacker*

What can you do there?

At Skull Rock, visitors can navigate around the desert brush and up the rocks for a closer view of this spooky sight. Expect to run into other tourists, though. During busy seasons, you’ll probably have to wait your turn for a picture in front of this magnificent rock.

If you want to get a little more out of your visit, go for a hike along Skull Rock Trail. Keep an eye out for cool cacti along the 1.8-mile loop trail.

A hill of large, smooth orange-tinted rocks. — *Photo by NPS / Robb Hannawacker*

5 things to know before visiting Joshua Tree’s Cholla Cactus Garden

Watch out for spikes!

Joshua Tree National Park attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. Each guest who enters the park will find something to love, like the famous Joshua trees or dramatic rock formations. However, only adventurers willing to drive a little further into the desert can enjoy the wonders of the Cholla Cactus Garden. Here’s what you should know about this special spot.

A winding road from the park’s north entrance leads drivers on a 12-mile journey to the garden. A small parking area marks the beginning of the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail. This flat path takes hikers on a tour of the garden’s unique teddybear cholla. These cacti are covered in thin but sharp spikes that give the plant an almost fuzzy look in the right light. Find out the best times to see them and other helpful tips in the list below.

Joshua Tree issues plea after vandals strike again

Joshua Tree National Park is requesting the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for recent acts of vandalism.

Since January, spray-painted graffiti has appeared on rock features in several areas within the vast Southern California park. They include Rattlesnake Canyon, the Geo Tour Road, and Skull Rock Natural Trail.

Additionally, Joshua trees have been toppled or damaged.

“Joshua Tree National Park belongs to all of us,” David Smith, park superintendent, stated in a news release issued Tuesday. “Using paint or chisels on rocks and trees destroys the beauty we are trying to protect in our parks.

“It is our hope that anyone with knowledge of these incidents will come forward so that we can eliminate future problems. It is illegal deface any of the resources in the park.”

The park requests that anyone with information about the recent vandalism report their observations via email at jotr_graffiti@nps.org. The park also is seeking volunteers for various tasks, including graffiti cleanup and patrols.

Vandalism is an ongoing problem for the sprawling desert park. During the partial government shutdown that began in late December 2018, several of the park’s signature Joshua trees were destroyed or removed by vandals.

–Images courtesy of NPS/Kelsey Graczyk (top) and NPS/Ben Theisen